Kelly_Louise

That's really good that they are referring you - I good vet knows when it's best to send them to a specialist No news yet Juice? I do remember the feeling. I also remember the feeling when Chloe went into remission from Cushings, and symptoms started recurring. I was heartbroken - however, it was either the return of Cushings - or an additional illness most likely Diabetes - so for us, to hear that it was 'just' the Cushings returning was actually a good result. Sometimes it's better the devil you know... The medication they put Mase on (if confirmed) will depend on a few things... but if it is the ARH at Baulkham Hills I'm fairly sure they are now using Trilostane. I guess it depends on what specialist you are referred to as well and what they prefer to use (I think there may be a few that specialise in medicine - however I think Chloe's specialist also does work at Baulkham Hills too). But if they do decide to go with Trilostane, perhaps talk to them about getting it in liquid form (if not at first, at least when the loading phase is over and an initial constant dosage is agreed). It's much easier and practical. Basically, a prescription is written and sent to a pharmacy (from recollection it's in the North Syd somewhere) - and they either send it to the vet for you to pick up - or we just get it sent directly to our house via courier (or express post). Juice do you have any photos? Also J, do we have some recent pics of Occy? Let's swap Cushinoid pics They are special!

Be very careful with things like that, especially tablets - because the dosages can change, which means you can have an excess of useless tablets on your hands. It's best to get only what is prescribed at a time (between regular testing) so that you are not wasting money (unless Lysodren dosages can be manually adjusted I'm not sure). But Trilostane tablets are made per prescription - so if the dosage changes, new tablets need to be made. We've started on a new liquid form of Trilostane now - MUCH better and works out cheaper as the dosage can be changed just by how much you put into the syringe (taken orally), so there is no wastage which has been a lifesaver (financially) for us. Best of luck with the results today Juice - and don't feel too bad, like I said, it's not the end of the world by any means (although it might feel like it right now )

Let's hope some rest keeps his leg bearable until his cushings is sorted.

Oh goodness, that literally turned my stomach... Cruelty, callousness and deliberate uncaring at it's worst. Some people make me physically want to vomit. Bless all the pound/shelter/rescue staff and volunteers at this horrid time. It's one thing to know you can't save them all, but when you have to physically turn your back because you can't save them all must be heart wrenching. If only we lived in a perfect world... where there are none to save, or they're few and far between...

Wanna swap? I think I want a chi :rolleyes: Sash costs quite a bit to feed... she does not seem to tolerate raw food (which we determined through elimination diet). Ridgeback x Mastiff (35kgs) - 3.5 years old 3/4 can Advance canned food per day - 2 cups Advance dry food Not sure of the calculations, but the cans cost $4 each and the dry food $102 per 2 -3 months. So approx $4 - $5 per day - but I thank Dog I'm not Erny! Plus a couple of small meaty bones per week approx $2 per week + treats maybe $2 per week? Chloe costs about the same, and has Advance canned or boiled chicken breast/gravy beef + vegies - she may even cost more as she gets human grade top quality meat - but then, she deserves nothing less

They may start out that way, but every Cushings experience is different unfortunately. The best we can all hope for is a relatively easy run with Cushings, and that other complications don't kick in. Thankfully, Chloe is otherwise healthy and everything else is normal... so that's a massive relief. Is there any news on the cruciate surgery (or any plans for further down the track at this stage)? I'm just wondering how that will go now he's on Lysodren. From what I've read, they need to come off Lysodren for a few months before surgery.

A very happy birthday to Misty - I agree we need photos of the birthday girl! 16 years, and to have beaten such illnesses - is a fantastic effort... so much of that must be contributed to the outstanding care she must have received throughout her life. Here's hoping for more good years

Both mine have gone off their breakfasts in the last couple of days - I find it's mainly due to the heat.

Fantastic news J! Now it's just a matter of monitoring, so should his needs change - you know what to look for and can move on it quickly. Don't be afraid to ring your vet at any time if you see something you feel isn't right or normal. Sometimes the most obscure of symptoms can be related to Cushings somehow... Juice, a diagnosis of Cushings isn't the worst ... it's not ideal, but at least it will give you an idea of what you are dealing with and allow you to know your plan of attack. There are many more things worse than Cushings (scary as it sounds) - and once you learn to deal with Cushings, it kind of just becomes second nature. You forget what your life was like before you had a Cushinoid I certainly have. Of course, here's hoping that it's something that is cureable though... J - here's hoping things remain stable for Occy and that things continue to improve. Chloe remained stable on her original dose for a good year before she needed to change dosage. Let's see if Occy can see that, and raise her another year

Exackery - and they don't care about offlead dogs (unless these tough breeds were wearing pink frilly costumes). But that might be considered animal cruelty anyway. I think it's hysterical when I'm walking my (to some) tough looking, BIG dog... and we come across these rugged men walking SWF's. Always gives us a giggle - they always look so... well, apologetic . We've even had some say 'it's not my dog' with a laugh. Me, I couldn't care less who walks what kind of dog - but they always look like they want to sink into the ground with embarassment (or gladly swap dogs with me). Be proud of your dogs folks - no matter what you (or they) look like! A dog is a furry best buddy - whether big or small! But do keep them on lead in the appropriate areas!

I don't have any advice - just wanted to wish you all the best with whatever decision you make. I hope Caesar battles through and conquers this.

Untreated joint problems can cause premature arthritis and further damage to set in much faster in many cases. Whether surgery is performed or not, arthritis will rear it's ugly head earlier. What is important is what will give a dog the best chance at a quality of life. If we hadn't put Chloe through surgery, she would without doubt have been crippled much sooner and I'm also under no doubt we would have had her pts by now. Thanks to surgery, it gave her many good years... however, due to her condition not being diagnosed early (and not allowing us to move quickly to correct), arthritic changes and DJD had already set in. In our case, surgery slowed down the natural progression of the severity of her arthritis.

Just wanted to say best of luck with finding a new furry family member - I hope that it works out well for you. Good on you for looking for a rescue dog - there are so many wonderful dogs looking for their forever families.

Unfortunately, there's no ranger to call for fashion misjudgements... Goodness if there was I'd have been slapped with numerous fines... but none for having an offlead dog at least! I do agree with the moral of the story though - put your dogs on leash unless in a designated off lead area - PLEASE! Not only is it breaking the law, it makes life difficult for those of us who are trying to do the right thing with dogs onlead.

Agree the guy is irresponsible for having his dogs offlead. However, not sure where you're going with 'image' comments. Were the dogs untrained, unruly, or behaving badly? If not, then I wouldn't think this situation is ruining the reputation of the breed, just the reputation of the owner. Although it's not right to have his dogs offleash, seeing well behaved, well trained dogs of those breeds would enhance my opinion of them (if for some reason I had a previous negative view of them). I do think there is some 'stereotypical' undertones here... however, any person - even the elderly and otherwise good citizens can be irresponsible with their dogs. He might just be proud of his body, thinks he looks good, and loves a particular breed dog and unknowinlgy thinks it's okay seeing that his dogs are well behaved (as many do).

I wish I'd known about the full repercussions of back yard breeding. I wish I'd not been young and impulsive when I wanted a dog, although in saying that - I wouldn't change my Chloe for any dog in the world or any amount of money - health issues and all. I wish I'd done alot more research before adopting a rescue dog. Not for me, but to have been a better mum for Sasha at the start. I had idealistic views, and whilst I had some knowledge - I just kind of thought she'd slot in and off we'd go. I just didn't understand all of her special needs, I didn't understand that some dogs can be scarred by their pound or previous experiences, I didn't understand her language or what she was trying to communicate. Since Sasha came into our lives, I've learnt so many new things (things I didn't know I needed to know - I've had dogs my whole life and trained them from puppies so I grew with them and knew them intuitively), especially about dog behaviour and 'language'. I wish I knew just how fantastic adopting a rescue dog would be - I would have done it much sooner. It wasn't always easy - and it was a learning curve - however, it changed my life. I went into adoption thinking I was helping to save a life and doing a good deed - and that made me feel really good inside, and I was determined to make Sasha's life with us the best possible. However, what I didn't know - is that she would turn my life around, she would give me more than I could ever give her - and sometimes I wonder who really did who a good deed... We now take every opportunity to promote pet adoption, because I'd like others to experience what I have. For the other things, I have now learnt that crate training, and toileting on cue can be a metaphorical lifesaver, that training is more important that I ever thought and can be a literal lifesaver... but the one thing that I know now - which is most important, is that no one knows your dog like you. If you feel something isn't right - regardless that others might blow it off - go with your gut and persist with it until you find the problem. When you have a bond with a dog, you just know when something isn't right - and they rely on you to see it and help them.

They are all very good signs. Water drinking is down (as should urination frequency? - although with Chloe it was very obvious as before her meds she would also frantically drink then rush out to pee, then in to drink again - poor baby). Yes he will still be hungry - but as you say, the 'OMG IM STARVING' ravenous, frantic eating should subside on meds. So that's a good sign too. The dosage may not be perfect (but all fingers and paws crossed it is) - however all the signs are there that they are starting to work, and Occy must feel SO much more happy and comfortable, which will also be a relief for you! Be aware, that too much cortisol can 'mask' a dogs pain... so you may find with his more controlled cortisol production he will feel his cruciate injury more so (and also any joint deterioration/arthritis he may have due to the injury). Just something else to keep an eye on - like the hundred other things wasn't enough! So far, so good! Sounds like you are doing a great job with your boy!

At the moment we give Chloe a shot per week for 4 weeks in succession. That usually sees her poor old legs through most of the year. Does anyone find that their dogs arthritis or joint issues plays up more in the hotter weather? We are starting to notice that Chloe is pretty good through winter, but as summer gets cranking she gets very stiff and unsteady on her legs (off and on) - and seems to have been that way for the last few years. So we generally have to give her the Cartrophen course late Spring/early Summer as that seems to be when she gets worse

I just wouldn't go either... so not sure how much help I'll be. However, if no one I knew or trusted could take my girls (or if a suitable home - who knew their quirks well could not be found so I could settle them before I left) then I would PTS. Although, I'd move heaven and hell before it came to that for me. But a deaf 11yo may not cope well in a new environment - although, they are more adaptable than we give them credit for.

I bet if you had the opportunity again, you'd do the same thing... and not bat an eyelid Me too

Hmmm, let me see... I spent over $10k having Chloe's 2 knees operated on (which was my wedding money). Not only that, she spent about 9 months in recovery, I used up all my holidays, leave and spare time caring for her... you would even find me curled up on her bed with her at 4am in the middle of winter when she was struggling and we spent almost 24/7 by her side. Then when she was diagnosed with Cushings disease a couple years later - I've spent many more thousands, a mountain of worry and grief, and the specialist has become like a family member I copped more flak than I can tell you - from everyone - but Chloe is still with us, still happy, and was worth every bit of effort and $ over the last few years. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat if I had to. She's my heart baby. There's not much I wouldn't do for my girls. They are very special to me, so I couldn't care less what people think is strange or whatever. I actually feel sorry for people that have never had a four legged best friend... they have no idea what they're missing out on.

Addison's is much more scary (to me)... don't envy you at all. But I guess, it becomes second nature to you guys too after a while Hope lovely Mooper is going well

The vet at Baulkham Hills is also called the Animal Referral Hospital. You will need your current normal vet to give you a referral (don't feel embarassed to ask - just tell them you've heard good things about their care of similar diseases and would like to be referred to them), otherwise you can call the ARH and see if they will take your case without a referral (for example if the test results have confirmed Cushings). The website is www.arhvets.com They took on Chloe's case of Cushings without a referral, but then she was already a patient there (with original referral) for her leg operations. You may not know the results same day... usually the first test done (called a suppression test) goes for about 8 hours over the day (it's more accurate at 'diagnosis' than the shorter ACTH Stim test), so by the time they collect all the samples it's probably too late to get answers. Sometimes next day or the day after you should have some kind of indication. Wait to see what the results say before you ask for an ultrasound. Usually, that is the next step though and if the test is positive you will most likely be directed to have the ultrasound next. If you are going to go to a specialist, I would ask for a referral after you get the first test results (if they are positive). It's up to you of course, it's just my opinion from our experience. I'm sure there are normal vets that are capable of doing a good job also. It is imperative to go with someone you trust fully, and feel comfortable and confident with - as the disease can be confusing and frustrating sometimes and you will depend on their support and expertise to guide you. Also I should add, with the disease being expensive to treat, someone with a greater understanding and knowledge of the disease and the treatments can help keep costs *somewhat* down as they are more likely to get assumptions more accurate (and there are many assumptions with this disease ). Again, just my opinion. Best of luck and we are here should you have more questions. Let us know how you go.

Can i borrow them please to wear my lazy bones out? Sash seems to get her second wind about 10pm You're lucky, it took me a good couple of months before I could get Sasha focussed and motivated for training. She just wasn't interested in food or treats, and had the focus of an gnat. Once I got her attention though, she learnt things amazingly quickly and surprised us all. After that, she was a changed dog. Lucky Asher is so damn gorgeous - I'm sure you'll see a number of 'imperfections'... but they're so worth it!

J, how are things going with the Lysodren and treatment? Oh and Loraine!